BALANGA CITY, Bataan—This fast-growing component city is setting up barangay learning hubs to further upgrade its education program and gain its third literacy award.
Councilor Benjie Merino said the city government recently opened two learning hubs in Barangays Cupang North and Cataning.
Earlier this year, Balanga City and the Multi-Sectoral Governance Coalition launched the first barangay learning hub in the province in Barangay Dona Francisca, this city.
“Through the leadership of Mayor Francis Garcia and Vice Mayor Vianca Venzon-Gozon, we are aiming to win the Literacy Award for the 3rd time this year,” and become a Hall of Fame Awardee, said Merino.
Balanga had already twice emerged as champion in the National Literacy Awards for the component city category during the term of then mayor and now 2nd district Rep. Joet Garcia, brother of the incumbent mayor.
Venzon-Gozon was an active city councilor at the time the city won the literacy award, making her familiar with the award system, pointed out Merino.
Members of the Literacy Coordinating Council recently conducted a three-day validation of the literacy programs of the city.
The city literacy programs, aside from barangay learning hubs, include reading and IT corners, ALS class, Project Duke Session, learning barangay week, Edu Child Parenting Program and school learning hub.
The national government has launched the National Literacy Program award to give recognition to local government units that are undertaking literacy programs for the less-fortunate like the out-of-school youth.